How to Create a Mold for Candles

How to Create a Mold for Candles

from wikiHow – The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Many common household items can be used for candle molds. This is a very inexpensive way to make candles.

Steps

  1. Save heavy cardboard type containers. Useful types of cardboard include a Pringles can, Chinese take-out containers, or waxed milk cartons. Make sure that the cardboard is coated with wax in some way… regular cardboard will absorb the melted wax and become a fire hazard, not to mention a mess.
  2. Wipe the inside of the container with a damp paper towel to remove any food residue.
  3. Attach your wick to the center of the inside of the container. You can use a little scotch tape to do this. Also a good way to attach the wick is to melt a space for it when the candle is done and put the wick in.
  4. Lay a pencil (or similar object) across the top of the container and tape your wick to it, so that the wick is centered in the container.
  5. Pour a little bit of melted wax in the container and wait a few seconds to make sure the container isn’t going to leak.
  6. Pour the wax into the container almost to the top. Reserve a little wax for topping up, as the wax shrinks into the center as it cools.
  7. Wait several hours or overnight for the wax to cool and harden.
  8. Let the candle cool. When the candle is cool, peel the container away.


Tips

  • Bits of Crayola crayons can be added to the melting wax for color.
  • You can also use a muffin tray for a mold. Once the wax has set and cooled, bang the tray upside-down on a counter to get the cute little candles out.
  • You can also use frozen juice cans (the cardboard type) as a mold,as well as oatmeal boxes, card board egg containers-please do not use the styrafoam type. You can also use the larger tomato cans for a large pillar and you can use a spray type of oil i.e: Pam to use as a release for your molds if you don’t want to pay for ‘mold release’.


Warnings

  • Place plenty of newspaper under your project in case of spilled wax. And be careful because melted wax can burn your skin.
  • Using crayons to color your candle may cause your wick to plug and the result will be a candle that does not burn properly and could even cause a fire. There are many good Internet sites where you can buy candle wax, candle coloring and other additives to increase the chances of making an attractive and safe candle.
  • Paraffin as well as soy and other waxes are very flammable. Never melt any wax directly over fire or heat. Always use a double boiler. A coffee can set in a pan water that is on the heat will work in a pinch but it is much safer to use one pan with a handle set in a pan of water.


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Candle Making Molds – How to choose the right one!

There are limitless options when it comes to molds for candle making, you can use any mold from a very large selection to make something truly your own. Molds are available in many different sizes, shapes and made with a large array of different materials of your choice.

It’s always a good idea to have a clear picture of what you are planning to make before you get too far into the process. When choosing the candle making molds for your project, try and imagine how the candle will look, and what type of stand of holder it will be used in.

Even if you are looking for a certain shape of candle, there are likely many molds available for that specific shape as long as you know where to look for them. One type of candle that can be used in almost any candle holder is the pillar style–and may be a good first choice if you are just starting out.

Another option would be a votive candle mold–they will allow you to make quite a few small candles for use in votive holders. You can even find candle making molds in the shape of animals, or other objects from certain manufacturers–amazon.com is a great place to look for this sort of thing.

Some molds can be purchased that will make candles that look like plaques if so desired. These types of molds are so detailed that your candle will come out looking like a picture or a symbol in some cases. You can even find molds so detailed that they produce candles that appear to be hand carved straight out of the wax!

Look in your local crafts stores for interesting molds and sometimes wax and other supplies, or you might try searching online. Molds come in many different types of shapes and size, and also a wide variety of materials if you have a specific preference. Some options are cardboard, metal and of course plastic.

Plastic molds are easy to handle, and easy to clean, they are also usually so cheap you don’t have to worry about breaking them–and since they are also pliable, it probably won’t be much of a worry anyway.

Cardboard molds are great for kids–since you can just tear them up after the wax dries and get the candle out, but as this destroys the mold they are more of a onetime thing.

Milk containers make easy candle molds since they are free–hey they come with the milk after all, and provide a cube shape for the candle to boot. Some candle molds are available in aluminum as well. Pillar candles are often made professionally with metal molds since they are very reusable.

Metal molds are also known to provide a very smooth finish to the candles which is another reason they are the professional choice in use. There are a few things to consider when it comes to the type of mold you use.

  • Plastic molds are easy to clear, but will break much easier than a metal mold.
  • Cardboard molds are great for quick removal, but can fall apart if they get damp and are generally not good for too many uses.
  • Metal candle molds are strong, but they are not pliable which limits the style and appearances they come in, sometimes you will have to choose a plastic mold just to get the right style.

Another important note is that candle wax sticks much more often to the metal molds, so you will have to oil them of you won’t be able to easily remove the finished candle–no fun, but spray oil easily fixes this problem.

The good news is whatever design you have in mind, there are MANY candle making molds available for you to choose from, take a look and find one that really makes your project come to life.


Candle Making Molds

When making candles, there are unlimited types of molds you can use to create a candle that is uniquely your own. Molds for candles are available in a variety of different shapes and sizes and are made from different materials. Having an idea of how you want your candles to look will be of assistance is choosing the candle making molds that are right for your candle making project.

If you want a particular shape for your candle there a variety of molds in different shapes and sizes. You can opt for a conventional pillar style candle that can be used with just about any candle holder. There are also votive candle molds that will allow you to make a number of small candles to use in your own votive holders. Some manufacturers have created candle making molds in geometric shapes and in the shape of animals and other figures. There are even candle molds that resemble plaques.

These types of molds allow you create a very intricately designed candle that could look like a picture or symbol. Some of these molds are so intricate they look as if the candles are hand carved! Look around in different craft stores or visit a candle wholesaler and you should be able to find any type of mold to your liking.

Just as candle making molds come in different shapes and sizes they are also made with different materials. Molds come in plastic, cardboard and metal. The plastic molds are liked because they are pliable, easy to handle, easy to clean, affordable and available in a variety of different styles. Cardboard molds are preferable when working with children as the mold can be torn away from the candle.

Many people use milk containers as candle molds as they are inexpensive and provide a good cube shape for a candle. There are also metal candle molds most of which are made from aluminum. Many professional candle makers use metal molds to make the more common pillar candles that are seen commercially. Metal molds also affect the cosmetic look of a candle providing it with a smooth appearance.

There are some variations in the different types of candle molds that should be considered. Although plastic molds are pliable and easy to clean, they can break apart faster than a mold made of a more rigid material. Cardboard molds can also break apart easily as they are only made of paper and these types of molds may become damp or incapable of holding a large amount of wax without falling apart.

Metal candle molds are sturdy but they are not pliable which means that you probably won’t be able to find the variety in appearance and style that you would find with a plastic mold. Likewise, candle wax is more likely to stick to a metal surface so when working with a metal mold you should have a lubricant such as spray oil available to assist in removing your candle from the mold.

There are a variety of candle making molds that you can use to make the candles that you desire.